ICSE VII CIVICS State Executive

STATE EXECUTIVE

What is Federal Government?

Federal government is a form of government in which the political power is divided between the Union or Central Government and the state government. The administration at the state level is carried out by the state governments.

What are the features of the Executive branch at the State level?

At the state level, the Executive branch of the government

·       Has a nominal head the Governor

·       Has the actual head the Chief Minister who is assisted by the Council of Ministers, Advocate General and Civil Services officers.

Governor is the nominal head. Comment

The Governor is the constitutional or nominal head of the State Executive. He or she is appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. All executive actions in the state are carried out in the name of the Governor. The real power is in the hands of the Chief Minister.

What are the terms of appointment, extension and termination?

Governor holds office for a period of five years.

His or her tenure can be extended as well.

He or she can be removed by the President before the completion of the term.

List the qualifications for the post of a Governor?

·       Should be at least 35 years of age

·       Should be an Indian Citizen

·       Should not be a Member of the Parliament or the State Legislative Assembly.

·       Should not hold any office of profit under the Government

What are the salary and allowances enjoyed by the Governor?

The Governor gets a monthly salary and is entitled to rent free accommodation in Raj Bhawan, allowances and pension after retirement.

What is the official residence of Governor called?

The official residence of the Governor is called the Raj Bhawan.

List the three Executive powers of the Governor.

1. He or she appoints the leader of the majority party in the State Legislative Assembly as the Chief Minister.

2. He or she also appoints other ministers of the State Council on the advice of the Chief Minister.

3. He or she also appoints the Chairman of the State Public Commission and Advocate General.

List the Legislative powers of the Governor.

·       The Governor addresses the opening session of the State Legislature every year. He or she also addresses the first session of the newly elected Legislature.

·       When the State legislature is not in session the Governor can issue Ordinances which can be  enforced usually for a period of six weeks after the state Legislature meets again

·       All Bills passed in the State Legislature have to be approved and signed by the Governor.

·       The Governor can retain a Bill passed by the State Legislature and can send it to the Centre for its approval.

Under what circumstances can the Governor issue ordinances?

When the State legislature is not in session the Governor can issue Ordinances which can be enforced usually for a period of six weeks after the state Legislature meets again

What are the two legislative powers of the Governor with reference to the Bill?

·       All Bills passed in the State Legislature have to be approved and signed by the Governor.

·       The Governor can retain a Bill passed by the State Legislature and can send it to the Centre for its approval.

What are the financial and judicial powers of the Governor?

Judicial Powers-The Governor can grant pardon, suspend or reduce a sentence passed by a court in the state.

Financial Powers-The Governor recommends the State Budget before it is presented in the State Legislative Assembly every year.

What is Presidential Rule?

 Presidential Rule is the rule by the President of the country when an Emergency is declared in a state.

What are the discretionary powers of the President?

·       If the Governor is satisfied that the governance of the state cannot be carried on in a constitutional manner, he or she can make a report to the President.

·       The President, on the basis of the report may dissolve the State Legislative Assembly or keep it under suspension or dismiss the Council of Ministers.

What are the discretionary powers of the President in a state?

·       If the Governor is satisfied that the governance of the state cannot be carried on in a constitutional manner, he or she can make a report to the President.

·       The President, on the basis of the report may dissolve the State Legislative Assembly or keep it under suspension or dismiss the Council of Ministers.

·       An Emergency is then declared in the state and the state comes under Presidential Rule.

However, the President has the power to declare an Emergency in the state even without a report from the Governor

Describe the formation of the State Council of Ministers.

After the General Elections to the State Legislative Assemblies, the leader of the majority party or largest coalition or single largest party in each state is invited by the Governor to form the state government. The Governor appoints them as Chief Ministers of their respective states.- The Governor appoints the members of the Council of Ministers on the recommendation and advice of the chief minister.

Who was the first woman Governor of an Indian state?

The first woman Governor of an Indian state was Sarojini Naidu. After independence, in 1947, she became the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. She retained the post until her death on 2 March 1949.

What powers the Chief Minister have as the head of Council of ministers?

1.   The Chief Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers.

2.   The Chief Minister distributes portfolios to the ministers of the State Council of Ministers.

3.   He or she presides over the meetings of the Cabinet and the Councils of Ministers and communicates all decisions taken to the Governor.

4.   The Chief Minister may ask ministers to resign if he or she is not satisfied with their work

How many categories of ministers are there at the state level? Name them.

At the state level, there are three categories of ministers in the Council-

1.   Cabinet Ministers,

2.   Ministers of State

3.   Deputy Ministers

What are the functions of the Cabinet Ministers at the state level?

·       All important executive decisions are taken in the cabinet. The decisions are binding on the entire Council of Ministers.

·       Each department in the state government is headed by a Cabinet Minister or a Minister of State.

·       One Minister may be in charge of more than one department.

How are the responsibilities of the chief minister at State level similar to that of the Prime Minister at the Union Level?

The Chief Minister has responsibilities similar to those of the prime Minister. He or she is responsible for the success or failure of his or her government.

Chief Minister is the most powerful executive in the State. Comment

1.   The Chief Minister is the real head of the State.

2.   The Chief Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers.

3.   Chief Minister is the leader of the majority party after the General Elections of the State

4.   The Chief Minister is the head of the State Legislature.

5.   The Chief Minister distributes portfolios to the ministers of the State Council of Ministers.

6.   Other ministers are appointed by the Governor on advice of the chief minister.

7.   He or she presides over the meetings of the Cabinet and the Councils of Ministers and communicates all decisions taken to the Governor.

8.   The Chief Minister has responsibilities similar to those of the prime Minister. He or she is responsible for the success or failure of his or her government.

9.   The Chief Minister may ask ministers to resign if he or she is not satisfied with their work

The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the State legislative assembly. Explain.

The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the State Legislative Assembly. If a vote of no-confidence is passed against any one minister, the entire ministry has to resign forthwith.

What are Union Territories? Why are they not given the status of a state?

Union Territories are governed by the President through a Lieutenant-Governor or a Chief Commissioner or Chief Administrator. India has seven Some Union Territories.

Union Territories do not enjoy the status of a state.

What exception does the union territory of Puducherry enjoy?

The Union Territory of Puducherry has a Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers.